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13. Luffa cylindrica (Linn.) M. Roem., Synops. 2: 63. 1840. (Fig. 171).
CUCURBITACEAE
Luffa aegyptiaca Mill.—Luffa petola Seringe—Luffa pentandra Roxb.—Momordiea cylindrica
Linn.—Momordica luffa Linn.
Engl. Sponge Gourd, Vegetable Sponge; Sinh. Niyan-wetakolu; Tarn. Pichuknu,
Pikku; Hindi Ghiatarui, Nenua, Purula; Sans. Aibhi, Brihatkoshataki, Dhamargava, Dirghapatolika,
Ghoshaka, Hastighosha, Hastikoshataki, Hastiparna, Mahakoshataki, Mahaphala,
Mahapushpa, Rajakoshataki, Sapitaka.
Annual, tendril climber with 5-angled, stout, twisted stems, young parts slightly pubescent;
leaves simple, alternate, large, 10—20 cm long, orbicular in outline, often broader than long,
very cordate at base, usually more or less 7-lobed, lobes acute, distantly denticulate,
finely scabrous on both sides; petioles 2.5—7.5 cm long, angular, slightly scabrous; flowers
regular, yellow, unisexual, monoecious; male flowers: numerous in racemes 10—20 cm long,
pedicels 0.6—1.2 cm long, pubescent with a small fleshy bract near the base bearing 3 or 4 large
immersed glands, buds pointed; sepals 5, fused into a cup-shaped calyx-tube, segments lanceolate,
acuminate; petals 5, connate more than half-way up, obovate-oblong; stamens 5, distinct;
female flowers solitary, over 5 cm long on peduncles 7.5—10 cm in length; calyx segments
lanceolate, acute, tube produced a little beyondthe ovary; petals obovate-oblong; ovary inferior,
oblong cylindrical, glabrous or pubescent, style short, thick, stigmas large; fruit very large,
15—30 cm or more long, cylindrical or somewhat trigonous, not ribbed, blunt at the end; seeds
oval, about 1.2 cm long, much compressed, narrowly winged, grey, rough on the sides.
Flowers in July.
Illustrations. Rhecde, Hon. Mai. 8: pi. 8. 1678—1703; Wight, Ic. PI. Ind. Orient, pi 499.
1840—43; Kirtikar and Basu, Indian Med. Plants, pi 447. 1933.
Distribution. Cultivated throughout India, Ceylon and Philippine Islands. It is common
in native gardens in the low-country, up to an altitude of 3000 ft.
India. Khasia: J. D. Hooker and T. Thomson; Tharia Ghat, Clarke 5404, Sept. 1867.
Ceylon. Thwaites CP. 2805. Central Prov., Peradeniya, cultivated, /. M. Silva, Feb. 1921; F. W.
de Silva, Feb. 1930. Philippine Islands. Luzon: Isabella Prov., San Marino, Ramos and Edano
46999, Feb.—March 1926; Rizal Prov., San Andales, Edano 48749, Dec. 1926.
Composition. Wehmer records that the fruit fibre contains cellulose, xylan, mannan,
galactan and lignin. The seeds contain a fixed oil and the fruit, saponin and abundant mucilage.
Uses. The root is a hydragogue cathartic. The leaves are prescribed in skin diseases
and orchitis. In Java the juice of the leaves is given for amenorrhoea. The fresh fruit is considered
cooling, beneficial to the intestines and tonic to the genital organs. The seeds are said
to be emetic and cathartic. An infusion of the seeds is a drastic purgative and a useful anthelmintic.
In Cambodia, the fruit is used as a diuretic.
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